Technics. If only everything were as reliable.. (Technics SL-1210MK2)

Member Name: Recess

Product:	Technics SL-1210MK2
Date:	04/10/00 (823 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Reliable, metronomic pitch accuracy, durable

Disadvantages: Price, availability

I know, I stole the tag line from Volkswagen on this one, but it's true, if everything lasted as long, worked as well, and looked as good as a set of 1210MkII's, we'd all be very happy people.

Anyway.

Technics. There's a reason they've been around for so long. Why's that? Becasue they just won't stop working. I had a set of 1200's for a long time, and only had to upgrade when I hurt them with a speaker bracket, thereby losing on of the tone-arms in the process.

Why are they so good.

Well, 1) Their pitch accuracy is second to none. You set the pitch fader somewhere to get that desired tempo - and the deck just turns and turns with the regularity of a metrnome. Believe me, those of you who have used these decks for years won't know how good you've had it until you go use someone's Soundlabs for a day - you'll get home, and propose to your decks!!

2) They won't die. As I said up there somewhere, they just go on and on.

The reason for this (in my empty mind) is the reason why I don't like the new Vestax range or the Numark TT-1,2 range.

Technics are so simple. In essence, all they are is a motor, a pitch slider, and a start button. Very little to go wrong there, especially if you make sure to keep everything clean, oil the motor - or even better take them for a service.

The thing with the Vestax and Numark decks is that there's so much on them to go wrong. The pitch bend could start playing up, the reverse control might not work, or might malfunction and start going backwards in the middle of a set... for every "New improvement" on these decks, there's one more thing that might, and probably will through time, go wrong.

So, basically what I'm saying is that becasue Technics keep it simple, and build them well, they'll last for ever, as long as you take the precautions of maintaining things to a reasonable s
tandard yourself.

Ok, so people say that in the light of the new innovations by Vestax and Numark, Technics are getting a little out-dated - that may be so, but I'm yet to see people rushing out to get the Vestax etc decks, then taking them home with such reverance as they do when they have their 1210's sitting on their desk.

Oh, and in case you're interested in the Numark or Vestax stuff, I've only had bad reports. The Vestax decks are sluggish, and the smooth pitch fader (no click point at 0) is misleading at times - and according to one shop, there have been LOTS of returns for the TT-2's and TT-1's with motor problems.

See, just becasue it's not new and cool, doesn't mean that you shouldn't think Technics.

Look out for the Mark III too. I've not used, or seen one, and web-site info varies from what extras are on it. Here's a couple of the ones I've read.

1) Quartz pitch lock (to return the pitch to 0 when pressed)
2) Pitch bend (look mum, no hands!!)
3) Smooth fader (like the Vestax ones)

We'll see.

Anyway, get Technics. You can't go wrong with them. Get Vestax, Numark, you 'might' go wrong with them.

C.ya
Recess

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